The Sunday games are underway, as we are currently watching the Baltimore Ravens take on the Tennessee Titans. With that said, we still have two highly anticipated matchups to go. The Chicago Bears travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints. The Bears are double-digit underdogs. And for the nightcap, the Cleveland Browns face the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are 5.5 point favorites. The Browns have some COVID issues and players missing. The Bears have injury issues, while the Saints seem to be getting healthy at the right time. Let’s take a look at some players who might be able to make us a few bucks playing the wild card showdown slates.
New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Alvin Kamara ($11,200 DK | $15,000 FD)
Kamara is always an excellent choice. The Saints offense is getting healthy at the right time, with Michael Thomas returning to the lineup, along with Kamara and the running back corps getting reactivated from the COVID reserve. The Bears won’t be able to focus solely on Kamara, and they will be without standout linebacker Roquan Smith, which certainly could be an issue when it comes to holding Kamara in check as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Look for Kamara to get his one way or another.
Michael Thomas ($10,000 DK | $14,000 FD)
Not exactly the 2020 season many were hoping for from Thomas. Disappointing all the way around from a fantasy side of things. Nonetheless, when he is in the lineup, we have to take notice, especially in a showdown slate type of setting. He’s not washed. He’s just been injured. We’re still talking about the same player who set the single-season record last year with 149 receptions. Jaylon Johnson will be out of the Bears’ lineup as their number two cornerback as well. Fade Thomas at your own risk.
Mitchell Trubisky ($9,200 DK | $14,000 FD)
Trubisky comes in as the sixth-cheapest player on DraftKings this showdown slate. If the Bears lose this game,then this will be Trubisky’s last game before entering free agency. He has a chance to prove that he has what it takes to win a playoff game. Since coming back from the bench,he was able to put together a good six-game stretch that included 11 total touchdowns. Trubisky is going to have to use his legs at times in this game,and that will give him much more fantasy value. The Saints defense recently gave up over 100 rushing yards to quarterback Jalen Hurts. Trubisky isn’t as dynamic of a runner as Hurts is,but he has shown that he can make plays with his legs. Look for Trubisky to move out of the pocket and use that to rack up some fantasy points in today’s game.
Anthony Miller ($3,800 DK | $8,500 FD)
This just makes too much sense to me from a value standpoint. The Bears will be without talented rookie Darnell Mooney. Miller was the number two wideout coming into the season, and Mooney surpassed him due to Miller’s inconsistent play and Mooney’s ascension. However, Miller has the route running capabilities to beat coverage consistently. It’s just a matter of him running the correct routes and catching the ball. The main focus for the Saints’ defense should be Allen Robinson, so that will open the door for Miller to have a solid performance as long as he can hang onto the ball. Miller is the best value on the board.
Cole Kmet ($5,400 DK | $8,500 FD)
Last week against the Packers, Kmet saw eight targets and hauled in seven of those for 41 yards. Kmet did fumble, but that didn’t stop the Bears from looking his way. The offense has struggled in the red zone and that will be one of the main focuses against the Saints in this game. Kmet is a big guy and when he gets the ball he doesn’t go down easy. Pair that with the way the Bears have been calling short quick throws Kmet should be in line for a solid amount of targets this week especially in the red zone.
Jimmy Graham ($5,000 DK | $8,000 FD)
If you’re looking for a narrative, look no further than Graham. Playing against his former team, the Bears tight end should get overlooked in tournaments, due to the presence of Cole Kmet and the other solid options on the slate. With that said, Graham remains a top option for the Bears when they get into the red zone because of his size and jump-ball ability. Graham finished tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 targets inside the 10-yard line and led the Bears with a 27.3 percent target share inside the 10. Predicting touchdowns is tough, but we’re shooting for projected opportunities with this call. There’s a high likelihood if the Bears get down in the red zone, Graham will get a chance.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb ($10,200 DK | $15,000 FD)
Chubb should be lower owned than a normal showdown slate as he may be overlooked because of the Steelers’ defense. However, this is not the same defense that held Saquon Barkley to six rushing yards in week one. In fact, they have allowed over 100 rushing yards and at least one touchdown to running backs in the last three games. Chubb has also been able to score a touchdown in each of the last six games. The Browns were able to give Chubb some rest late into the game last week. He has not topped 20 carries in the last six weeks. There is a good chance this was planned to keep Chubb healthy come playoff time. That’s what they got, so expect to see a heavy dose of Chubb on Sunday night.
Diontae Johnson ($9,800 DK | $13,500 FD)
Everyone knows that Johnson has struggled with drops this season. That’s has not stopped the Steelers offense from looking his way. He saw double-digit targets in ten games this season. Big Ben continues to get him the ball week while being content throwing short passes. Big Ben’s 4.6 average completed air yards ranked fifth-lowest in the league. Johnson’s 6.4 yards per target is the lowest among Steelers wide receivers. Some will look at that as a negative, but it’s clear that Big Ben wants to throw the ball short and Johnson is the guy for that, along with JuJu Smith-Schuster. Combine that with Johnson’s 11.1 per game target average over the final nine weeks of the season and the fact that he led the team in total targets with 144, I’ll take him over JuJu, who has a banged-up knee.
Chase Claypool ($8,600 DK | $12,000 FD)
After his explosion earlier in the season, Claypool is somewhat the forgotten man as of late. He resurfaced last week, catching five of 11 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. That was without Big Ben, but it’s kind of fitting it came against the Cleveland Browns in a game they needed to win. Claypool also gets a really good matchup against a poor Browns secondary. They allowed receivers to score a total of 20 receiving touchdowns in the regular season. Claypool’s 26.3 percent end zone target share is the most on the team. Look for Claypool to find the end zone on Sunday night.
Rashard Higgins ($5,000 DK | $10,500 FD)
Jarvis Landry will be popular, but he will also be more expensive than Higgins. He missed Week 16 due to COVID-19 protocols. Leading up to that, he had at least 68 receiving yards in three straight games and a touchdown in two of those three games. If Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ defense puts more of an emphasis on the Browns’ rushing attack, Higgins could have a big day. Expect him to pay off his salary, at the very least.
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